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GRACELAND UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
No. 25 Graceland Suffers First Loss of the Season in Heartbreaker at Grand View
No. 25 Graceland Suffers First Loss of the Season in Heartbreaker at Grand View

No. 25 Graceland Suffers First Loss of the Season in Heartbreaker at Grand View

Des Moines, Iowa – Hours after earning a spot in the NAIA Top 25 for the first time this season, the Graceland University Yellowjackets fell in a tightly contested battle, 75-73, to Grand View University in Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) action at Dave Sisam Arena. Despite the loss, the Yellowjackets, now 10-1 overall and 6-1 in HAAC play, showcased the resilience and potential that earned them their national ranking. Grand View improved to 5-6 overall and 3-4 in the HAAC.

The Yellowjackets started strong, asserting their top-25 form early with a 13-point lead midway through the first half. Graceland shot 48.5% from the field in the opening period, including a sharp 5-for-10 from beyond the arc. Key contributions came from starters Darrius Davis and JY Smith, as well as Nick Bowden off the bench, who hit two timely three-pointers. At halftime, Graceland led 42-36.

The second half, however, belonged to the Vikings, who used efficient shooting and turnovers to fuel their comeback. Grand View outscored Graceland 39-31 in the period, shooting 58.6% from the floor. Jaxson Young led Grand View with a game-high 23 points, including the buzzer-beating jumper that handed Graceland its first loss of the season.

  • Shooting Efficiency: Graceland shot a solid 47.4% from the field and 42.1% from three-point range but could not match Grand View's 56.1% overall shooting.
  • Turnovers: Graceland's 13 turnovers, compared to Grand View's seven, resulted in 14 points for the Vikings.
  • Rebounds: The Yellowjackets dominated the boards, holding a 34-23 rebounding advantage, including a 9-3 edge in offensive rebounds.
  • Bench Points: Grand View's bench outscored Graceland's reserves 24-21.

Individual Performances

  • Graceland:

    • Darrius Davis recorded 11 points and seven rebounds, including a 5-for-8 showing at the free-throw line.
    • Kevin Cook posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
    • Carson Busch tallied 11 points and a team-high six assists.
    • Nick Bowden added 12 points off the bench, connecting on four three-pointers.

  • Grand View:

    • Jaxson Young's 23 points came on 10-for-15 shooting, and he added seven assists.
    • Ayden Foster and James Ogrodnik added 13 and 11 points, respectively, to round out the Vikings' top performers.

Coach's Comments

Head coach Todd Lorenson reflected on the loss, emphasizing areas for growth: "In the second half, we had too many turnovers to win a road league game. Those lost possessions were even more costly with the offensive opportunities it provided Grand View. It's natural to look at the final play, but we had chances to put the game away and didn't do so. We have two important home games before Christmas break, so we will have to learn from this and regroup quickly."

Looking Ahead

The Yellowjackets will return to their home court this Saturday at 4 p.m. to face Central Methodist University at the Morden Center in Lamoni, Iowa. The game offers Graceland a chance to bounce back and solidify its position in the Top 25.

For more information on Graceland men's basketball and all Graceland athletics, visit GUjackets.com.